L.D.W.F. Offering Fur Trapping Opportunity on Marsh Island Refuge

Jan. 24, 2013-- Due to the increased nutria population on Marsh Island Refuge, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking trappers to participate in a special opportunity to harvest nutria, and possibly other furbearer species, from the refuge.

The nutria population is negatively impacting the habitat and the department’s goal is to reduce habitat damage and loss on the Iberia Parish refuge.

A maximum of six trappers will be selected from applications received by the Feb. 15, 2013 deadline. Those selected will be authorized to hunt nutria on the refuge through March 31, 2013, and for the next three trapping seasons, provided they pass an annual harvest review.

Application forms must be delivered or mailed to the following address to arrive by 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15, 2013:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Marsh Island Refuge Fur Trapper Applications

2415 Darnall Road

New Iberia, LA 70560

Attn: Leslie Campbell

Participants will be required to enroll in the Coastwide Nutria Control Program (CNCP), if they are not already. LDWF will not collect a percentage of the funds generated as a result of nutria tail collections and/or other permitted furbearer harvest.

Overnight accommodations (primitive camping or houseboats) and staging of boats (flats, surface drives, etc.) at the refuge will be permitted to improve hunter efficiency. But boat storage and overnight camping/mooring will be permitted on an “as available” basis. Hunting/trapping activities will be permitted during the trapping season (November 20 – March 31).

For more information on Marsh Island Refuge nutria trapping opportunities or to obtain an application, contact Tyson Crouch or Cassidy Lejeune at 337-373-0032 or tcrouch@wlf.la.gov or clejeune@ wlf.la.gov.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.